“We even have a designer from Chichawatni,”; FPW3.

Mr Daniel Tarshish, British Deputy Head of Mission, spoke at the press conference, smartly suited in Ahmed Bham who will be making a fashion week debut at FPW3.

I’m so excited that Pakistani fashion is finally coming together, as Spokesperson FP Deepak Perwani more than vehemently stated that one designer from Chichawatni, two from Islamabad and two from Peshawer would be showing at FPW3. What he meant was that, as the name suggested, ‘Fashion Pakistan’ was a platform that encompassed fashion from all over Pakistan. Very, very exciting! Though I have seen a few fashion labels trickling in from Islamabad what sounds promising is Chichawatni and Peshawer. Just imagine!

All this information, along with the list of 25 confirmed names, was handed out at the FPW3 press con held right in front of the Mausummery store, though a naughty bird in my head kept chirping that the ‘opening soon PFDC Boulevard’ would be a stronger landmark. Oh but wait, FP had constructed their red carpet right infront of the PFDC façade, thus blocking it out. Like they say, all’s fair in love and fashion baby!

Spotted: Bunto Kazmi, Deepak Perwani, Sanam Chaudhri, Zahir Rahimtoola, Asad Tareen, Shernaz and Shezray Husain, Nomi Ansari, Shamaeel, Maheen Khan and many more.

What the PFDC originally looks like on a normal day.

Okay okay, enough with the naughtiness. Bunto Kazmi will be opening FPW3 with a couture collection that will undoubtedly set the mood for a great program. I like the fact that the council is allowing every designer to showcase what he/she makes rather than the ‘have to make a pret collection’ for fashion week strategy. Also confirmed (by speaking to them directly) are Maheen Khan, Deepak Perwani, Shamaeel, Nomi Ansari, Shehla Chatoor, Sanam Chaudhri, Ahmed Bham and Zainab Sajid. I haven’t managed to speak to them though I am pretty sure that newbies Wardha Saleem and Arsalan Yahseer are showing too.

Tapu Javeri was on the list and before you get confused let me divulge that Tapu is putting up his collection of Karachakra bags and scarves. Another name confused me – Hina Waqaruddin – but that just turned out to be Honey Waqar.

Hani Taha, Nomi Ansari and Maheen Khan bonding at the press con.

The naughty bird is back and chirping, “But what about Rizwan Beyg and Faiza Samee?” Well, they’re having a showcase of their own and were obviously ahead of FP in approaching some strong designers like Sania Maskatiya, FnkAsia and Maheen Karim and committing them to their showcase. Again, all’s fair in love and fashion, baby!

Here’s to a great season of fashion!

And leaving you to where most people ended up: at the newly opened Butlers branch at Dolmen Mall.

Shezray and Shernaz Husain discussing Nomi’s upcoming activity at Ensemble over coffee.